Delhi's Khan Market set to don a new look

New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) has charted a mega plan for giving a brand new look to Khan Market.

The sought-after shopping destination in the heart of Delhi is set to get an underground parking lot connected with the nearest Metro station, also known as Khan Market.

A multi-storey mall and a multiplex will also be built in Khan Market. The retail hub, set up in 1951, will turn into a one-stop hangout zone after the project sees the light of day.

What’s more, NDMC has planned to introduce an emergency exit ramp, an al fresco walking space, a centralised air-conditioning (AC) system and a common effluent treatment plant.

“We plan to install a centralised air conditioning system, which will not only reduce power consumption but also do away with the ugly sight of AC machines jutting out from shops. The effluent treatment plant will be an environmentally sustainable and cost viable system for the collection, treatment and discharge of effluent from waste generating units,” NDMC chairperson Jalaj Srivastava said.

An emergency exit on the second floor of the outer circle of the market will be set up to tackle emergency situations. “It will have two exit ramps, and will help people get out in an orderly manner in case of an emergency. The Khan Market Traders’ Association has agreed to this. Now, we are waiting a go-ahead certificate from the chief fire officer,” Srivastava added.

The council has also kick-started a survey on the durability of the buildings in the market. “The architect’s office is carrying out a study on every shop. The purpose is to find out the durability of the buildings. We can start the redevelopment project once this is done and after we get the fire department’s nod,” he said.

NDMC has also chalked out a plan to bring an end to the parking chaos. The underground arrangement will be a giant leap towards that direction. “It (the new parking lot) will stretch across the length and breadth of the market. It will be a huge compound connected to the metro station by a tunnel. The current parking lot will be turned into an al fresco walking space,” Srivastava added.

If everything goes according to the plan, NDMC will also come up with a mall and a multiplex in five to 10 years.